Jill Jack hosting new open mic night at Dino's in Ferndale

Award-winning Ferndale singer-songwriter Jill Jack is part of a new open night taking place Tuesdays at Dino’s Lounge in Ferndale.

Jack is teaming up with guitarist-singer Chris Brantley to host Dino’s Acoustic Music Night (DAMN) starting at 9 p.m. It’s open to aspiring, local, national and established singer-songwriters.

“No one will be excluded -- everyone will be able to perform at some time during the night,” Jack says.

While there are a growing number of open mic acoustic sessions in the Detroit area, DAMN will have a slightly different focus.

Participants performing original material are invited to do so on nights Jack is the host -- April 16 and 30 so far -- while those opting to play cover songs can do son when Brantley leads the sessions, April 9 and 23.

Each performer will be able to play two songs within 15 minutes. No amplifiers or special effects are allowed, and drums are banned, although scaled-down or hand-held percussion is OK.

The series kicked off this past Tuesday and Jack reports the place was packed with performances by nine songwriters.

The concept for the acoustic night came during a chance encounter between Jack and Dino’s owner Dean Bach in Lansing.

Jack was playing at a Michigan Humanities Council luncheon that Bach was attending after he was recently appointed to the panel by Gov. Rick Snyder. They talked about coming up with an open mic event to showcase local talent with an emphasis on the music.

Jack said she wanted something similar to the esteemed Bluebird Cafe outside of Nashville, which is known for its intimate listening room.

“On the way home, I thought about the Bluebird Cafe, that whole vibe, where people are serious about the music and you have a listening audience,” Jack said. “And I thought we could do that. Make it something very classy.”

She said the idea went over well with Bach, who is active in many fundraising events at his lounge on Woodward Avenue south of Nine Mile Road. To him, this is another way to give back to the community, she said.

The open mic night for Jack is an extension of her own consulting business for youngsters getting into the music business. It gives her a chance to coach local musicians to avoid “the bumps and bruises I incurred along the way.”

“I always tell people: Be true to yourself. If you are trying to write a hit song that’s already been written, you’re already behind the eight ball. Don’t fake it, don’t copy someone else, be yourself,” she said.

Jack is one of the most honored local musicians in Motor City history, having taken home 33 Detroit Music Awards trophies in recent years for her live work and material from her eight CDs, and is up for six more awards April 19 at the Fillmore in Detroit. In 2011, she was recruited to write the theme song for the pro-Detroit “I’m a Believer” campaign.

Songwriters interested in playing at the open mic may email Jack at jill@jilljack.com or dinoslounge@msn.com. Dino’s is located at 22740 Woodward Ave., Ferndale, 248-591-3466.

* Eleven great live acts will entertain in a fundraiser for ailing Detroit area photographer Christopher Bjornberg from 2 p.m. to midnight on April 7 at the Detroit Pub in Clinton Township.

Bjornberg is a photographer diagnosed with stage four bladder cancer. Proceeds will go towards his lost pay and medical expenses. The Pub is located at 33401 Harper Avenue at 14 Mile Road, 586-791-1288.